Stroke Study Dataset.csvCommunity-Specific Risk Factors and Types of First-Time Stroke: A Hospital-Based Study in Pakistan

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of global mortality, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan facing rising incidence. Community-specific risk factors in Pakistan remain underexplored, limiting targeted prevention. Methods: This prospective observational study (January–December 2021) at King Hospital (private) and Saidu Sharif Hospital (public) in Swat, Pakistan, enrolled 150 patients with first-time stroke, confirmed by MRI, CT, or echocardiography. Data on demographics, stroke types (ischemic [IS], intracerebral hemorrhage [IH], subarachnoid hemorrhage [SH]), and risk factors (hypertension [HTN], diabetes mellitus [DM], ischemic heart disease [IHD], atrial fibrillation [AF], smoking) were collected. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests (p<0.05) were analyzed using SPSS v.22. Results: Among 150 patients (63.3% male, mean age 65.34±2.34 years), 81.3% had IS, 16.7% IH, and 2.0% SH. HTN was the most prevalent risk factor (86.7%), followed by DM (64.7%), IHD (42.7%), AF (15.3%), and smoking (9.3%). No significant associations were found between stroke types and risk factors (p>0.05). Conclusions: HTN, DM, and IHD dominate first-time stroke risk in this Pakistani cohort, with IS predominant. Community-based screening and prevention programs are urgently needed. Keywords: Stroke, Risk Factors, Ischemic Stroke, Hemorrhagic Stroke, Pakistan, Hospital-Based Study